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MY TOP FIVE AUTO BUY AUTHORS | A LIST OF FAVOURITES

Ever since people found out that I’m a book blogger and an avid reader, I’ve been asked the dreaded “So, what’s your favourite book?” question.

I’ll stand there with a mouth full of unspoken words, gulping like a fish out of water, probably looking like a total idiot. And believe me, I feel like one too; because every single time I get asked that question, my mind draws a complete blank – #EpicFail

After the first few brain farts I realized that I needed to come up with an actual answer, since my instinctive non-answer just wasn’t cutting it anymore: “You can’t ask me such a question! I have so many favourite books!” I’m rolling my eyes just typing out that reaction so I shudder to think what people on the receiving end of that answer thought!

Today I’m going to share a few authors that have become fast favourites of mine. Authors who could write a guide on how to play golf, and I’ll most likely end up reading it – and trust me when I say, there is very little that I find more boring than golf! Also, if we ever have a conversation and the topic of “favourite books” pops up, then you should expect one of these authors to make an appearance in our little chat:

SARAH J MAAS
I am so committed to both Sarah J Maas’s series that the characters almost feel like family to me. They hurt, I hurt; that sort of thing. I’ll admit that her first series, Throne of Glass, took me a while to get into. But after reading each book I became more and more intrigued; and the story managed to capture me hook, line and sinker. It was also incredible to see how Maas developed and improved as a bestselling author. She is a master manipulator of emotions and the way she writes her characters makes me believe that she is quite the strategist too. Also, I love it when as author keeps me guessing, and Maas is so freaking good at giving me mini heart attacks that it’s safe to say I never know WTF is going on while reading her books.

“I was not a pet, not a doll, not an animal.
I was a survivor, and I was strong.
I would not be weak, or helpless again
I would not, could not be broken. Tamed.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

TAHEREH MAFI
When I think about how I almost skipped reading the rest of the Shatter Me series after a rather uneventful first read, I want to kick myself. Because holy crap that series was incredible! Tahereh Mafi is a fantastic writer. She is an artist of words. And the way she paints a picture is so unbelievably beautiful. While reading the Shatter Me series I kept posting snippets from the books on my Instagram story, and every single time I’d receive a message from someone asking what book the quote was from. There’s no denying, that even if you are not a fan of the plot, Tahereh Mafi is a gifted author with a stunning writing technique. The next book I buy is definitely Furthermore.

“Loneliness is a strange sort of thing.
It creeps on you, quiet and still, sits by your side in the dark, strokes by your hair as you sleep. It wraps itself around your bones, squeezing so tight you almost can’t breathe. It leaves lies in your heart, lies next to you at night, leaches the light out of every corner. It’s a constant companion, clasping your hand only to yank you down when you’re struggling to stand up.
You wake up in the morning and wonder who you are. You fail to fall asleep at night and tremble in your skin. You doubt you doubt you doubt.
do I
don’t I
should I
why won’t I
And even when you’re ready to let go. When you’re ready to break free. When you’re ready to be brand-new. Loneliness is an old friend stand beside you in the mirror, looking you in the eye, challenging you to live your life without it. You can’t find the words to fight yourself, to fight the words screaming that you’re not enough never enough never ever enough.
Loneliness is a bitter, wretched companion.
Sometimes it just won’t let go.”
―Tahereh Mafi, Unravel Me

RUTA SEPETYS
The above mentioned authors are both known for their fantasy books. Ruta Sepetys on the other hand, is a historical fiction writer – a brilliant historical fiction writer. What I love about Sepetys’ books is that she tells stories that are not really spoken about. Her books make me think, make me question and make me want to learn more about the events that inspires her novels. She makes the reader want to keep these stories alive so that they are not wiped from history. Both Between Shades of Gray and Salt to the Sea are haunting tales of human suffering that are told so vividly, you can’t help but form an emotional connection. Which is why Ruta Sepetys has since become one of my favourite authors, and I’ll most definitely read anything – and I mean ANYTHING – she writes.

“Every nation has hidden history, countless stories preserved only by those who experienced them. Stories of war are often read and discussed worldwide by readers whose nations stood on opposite sides during battle. History divided us, but through reading we can be united in story, study and remembrance. Books join us together as a global reading community, but more important, a global human community striving to learn from the past.”–Ruta Sepetys, author’s note fromSalt to the Sea.

RUPI KAUR
Rupi Kaur is the poetess behind Milk & Honey, a poetry collection that I’m quite sure you’ve heard all about by now. This is the only book (that I know of) she’s published but I’m positive that she’ll be writing many books in the future so I will be keeping a watchful eye for any updates. Claiming her as one of my “auto buy authors” after only one book may seem ridiculous, but there’s just something about her writing style that I find easy to connect with. After reading Milk & Honey I felt inspired; more aware of my own strength. The passion and intensity with which this book was written left no doubt in my mind that it was a personal journey she’s shared with all of us. She’s a poetess with heaps of courage. So whatever she be writin’, I be buyin’!

“i want to apologize to all the women i have called pretty before i’ve called them intelligent or brave i am sorry i made it sound as though something as simple as what you’re born with is the most you have to be proud of when your spirit has crushed mountains from now on i will say things like you are resilient or you are extraordinary not because i don’t think you’re pretty but because you are so much more than that”
― Rupi Kaur, Milk and Honey

ROSALIND JANA
I’m not really big on non-fiction books, but I absolutely loved Notes on Being Teenage. I wish this book was written when I was a teenager because it would’ve put so much into perspective for me! That being said, I still learnt a ton, and I am so happy it is out there for young girls to read. I wrote a blog post sharing six reasons why you should read Notes on Being Teenage, giving more insight into why I enjoyed this book so much. But the reason Rosalind Jana makes this little list is very simple – she writes with purpose. Yes, she truly is a gifted writer, but I don’t think that would’ve been enough for me to continue following her work. What stood out for me about Rosalind Jana was that her writing is deep and meaningful, always written from a place to empower, enlighten and encourage. I’ll buy any book with her name on it!

“Why not focus on women’s achievements rather than how much weight they’ve lost or put on? Or admire all shapes rather than reinforce the line between skinny and curvy, like the only two options are Kate Moss or Kim Kardashian? When are we going to stop using the phrase ‘real women’? All women are real, unless they’re robots.”
– Rosalind Jana,Note on Being Teenage

Do you have any auto buy authors? Please let me know who they are in the comments section below!

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I like this post! The quotes make for a fun read too! My fave authors are Malcolm Gladwell (his nonfiction books are amazing), Paulo Coelho (great inspirational fictional stories) and James Patterson (his Alex Cross crime thrillers are quite exciting). I think I should make a post of my favourite authors too!

I’m with you on having Sarah J Maas as an auto-buy favourite author – her plot points are brilliant, and her characters so precious to me that I’ve come to the conclusion that whatever she puts out, I’m going to definitely get. LOVE HER WORK.

I’ve only read Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi and from that alone, I fell for her writing style. The way she weaves words together is unlike I’ve really ever experience from that many authors. I can’t wait to read the Shatter Me trilogy as well as her other future work.

I haven’t read anything from the other authors, but I’ve heard a lot of amazing reviews for Ruta Sepetys’ Salt from the Sea and Rupi Kaur’s Milk & Honey! For me personally, my auto-buy favourite authors are Sarah Dessen (who has been part of my reading life since I first started reading up to my teenage years and now), Sarah J Maas, Patrick Ness, V.E Schwab & Nicola Yoon!

I really liked this post! The only problem I had with it was that it made me realise that I only have one author that is alive (the other is Harper Lee) who is Holly Smale. This year, I have read different sorts of books and haven’t ran into much luck. What to do!

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ABOUT ME

Hello and welcome! I’m Nihaad, a twenty something bookish girl from Cape Town, South Africa; trying to carve a place for myself in this wild and unpredictable world. Grab a cuppa and join me as I take on life, one book at a time.

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ABOUT ME

Hello and welcome! I’m Nihaad, a twenty something bookish girl from Cape Town, South Africa; trying to carve a place for myself in this wild and unpredictable world. Grab a cuppa and join me as I take on life, one book at a time.

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